Written Answers Thursday 23 April 2009

Scottish Executive

Autism

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people there are with an autistic spectrum disorder, broken down by (a) age group, (b) local authority area and (c) NHS board area, also expressed as a percentage of the population.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally. Information about the estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, by age group and by local authority area, is set out in Scottish Government Policy and Practice Guidance on Commissioning Services for People on the Autism Spectrum . This is based on a prevalence rate of 90 in 10,000 people. The guidance is available on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://openscotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/27085247/0.

Broadcasting

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support local broadcasting in the Scottish Borders.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government recognises the opportunity that the digital switchover and greater access to online technologies will bring to local television services.

  In our response to Ofcom’s Review of Public Service Broadcasting we supported Ofcom’s work into investigating the technical possibilities for developing a network of local television services and we reiterated this in our response to the UK Government’s Digital Britain Interim Report.

Broadcasting

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a voluntary quota for broadcasting Scottish music on radio stations would be supported by the industry.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government is keen to look at ways to maintain and enhance the quantity of Scottish music played on radio stations. A voluntary quota and other ways of ensuring a stronger commitment to support the music industry in Scotland will therefore be considered over the next few months. I hope to obtain the views of the radio industry and music industry as we take this forward.

Central Heating Programme

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating system installations have taken place in each year of the central heating programme.

Alex Neil: The number of private sector central heating installations, in each year since the programme began, is shown in the following table:

  

 Period
 Private Sector Installations


 2001-02
 3,560


 2002-03
 5,500


 2003-04
 10,200


 2004-05
 13,022


 2005-06
 14,053


 2006-07
 10,238


 2007-08
 14,369


 2008-09
 14,430


 Total
 85,372



  The number of public sector central heating installations, in each year since the programme began, is shown in the following table:

  

 Period
 Public Sector Installations


 2001-02
 4,948


 2002-03
 5,715


 2003-04
 6,588


 2004-05
 2,720


 2005-06
 1,949


 2006-07
 4,156


 Total
 26,076



  Note: The programme to install heating systems to public sector homes was completed in 2006-07.

Child Care

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 26 day care services for children where all services were graded as either unsatisfactory or weak in the Care Commission report, Gradings So Far, continue to operate.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22395 on 23 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the review of direct payments by Orkney Islands Council, what mechanisms are available to ensure that payments will continue for eligible applicants as required under the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002.

Shona Robison: Officials have been advised by Orkney Islands Council that the review has resulted in there being no waiting list and in direct payments being offered to all eligible clients. Any such applications will be subject to the usual care management processes of assessment and regular review.

  At national level, the intention is to visit each local authority to hear at first hand how direct payments policy is being developed locally and Orkney has agreed to participate.

Dentistry

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce legislation to ban private companies such as Integrated Dental Holdings from running dental practices that offer treatment under the NHS.

Shona Robison: No. There is a long history of dentists providing a mixture of NHS and private treatment and we see no problem with a properly constituted dental body corporate providing NHS dentistry. Dental bodies corporate require to have a majority of directors that are registered dentists or dental care professionals, or a combination of both.

  In contrast, general practice accounts for the vast majority of patient contacts with the NHS and often deals with the most important of life events. General practices are the gatekeepers to the rest of the NHS and it is essential that they are owned and run by individuals personally involved in the delivery of NHS services. That is why the Scottish Government does not consider the delivery of general practice by commercial organisations, driven by financial interest of shareholders, to be compatible with our policy of a mutual NHS.

Disclosure Scotland

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many job offers in the education sector have been withdrawn due to delays by Disclosure Scotland.

Adam Ingram: I am aware from your recent letter to the First Minister of the case of your constituent who had a job offer withdrawn but then re-instated whilst awaiting a disclosure check. I will provide a full and considered response to that letter in due course.

  Disclosure Scotland is generally dependent on other information providers when carrying out disclosure checks and this can on occasion affect turnaround times. In addition, between November 2008 and March 2009 there were delays to Disclosure Scotland’s service due to the introduction of a major and necessary IT disaster recovery solution. I am happy to report that Disclosure Scotland has since been returning certificates within its service level agreement.

Enterprise

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Small Business Act for Europe.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is entirely supportive of the Small Business Act for Europe. We responded direct to the European Commission’s consultation on the EU Small Business Act providing examples of devolved activity in Scotland, and are in broad agreement with the UK Government position. Scottish Government Officials maintain regular contact with the lead Whitehall Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in respect of implementation of the EU Small Business Act.

Enterprise

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will attend the EU Finance Day for small and medium-sized enterprises in London on 30 June 2009.

Jim Mather: Yes, officials from the Business Enterprise and Energy Directorate of the Scottish Government will attend the EU Finance Day for small and medium-sized enterprises event in London on 30 June 2009.

Further Education

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Ayr College regarding the current industrial action by lecturers.

Keith Brown: Ayr College, as an independent employer, is responsible for negotiating terms and conditions of service with the trade unions which represent its staff. While this is not a matter in which ministers can intervene directly, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has written to both sides in this dispute urging an early negotiated settlement of the dispute.

Healthcare Associated Infections

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been a recent increase in the number of healthcare associated infections in Orkney and, if so, what the nature of the problem is and what action has been taken.

Nicola Sturgeon: On 3 February, the Scottish Government was notified of an outbreak of Clostridium difficile in NHS Orkney (NHSO). Seventeen patients, including one member of staff, had been confirmed as Clostridium difficile positive since the start of January 2009. This compared to a total of 26 cases for the whole of 2008. Seven cases were identified in the community, 10 in hospital. Of the 17, three have died, with Clostridium difficile recorded on two of the death certificates, in both cases as a contributory cause of death.

  Immediately the situation became known, the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) asked Health Protection Scotland (HPS) to visit to fully explore the circumstances and to provide support, which they did on 6 February. The CNO, supported by members of the Scottish Government HAI team and HPS also visited the board on 10 February, and an action plan was produced. Through weekly monitoring, I am being kept informed of progress.

  The detail of the Clostridium difficile outbreak was reported publicly through local media and the NHS Orkney, HAI Reporting template (HAIRT), and the HAIRT was discussed at the NHSO board meeting on 19 February 2009. A copy can be accessed through the NHSO website using the following link http://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/images/pdf/OHB114%20Orkney%20HAI.doc.

  I spoke to the Chair of NHS Orkney on 5 February and met him on 4 March. He reassured me that the outbreak was contained and the action plan was in place, and I have asked that NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) review the clinical governance arrangements in place across NHS Orkney, which is consistent with their remit to provide advice and guidance on effective clinical practice.

  A further review of infection control arrangements will also be undertaken by HPS by the end of September 2009.

Housing

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the interest-free loans disbursed under the Low-cost Initiative for First-time Buyers housing scheme were provided to (a) individual first-time home buyers and (b) housing associations to fund affordable housing schemes.

Alex Neil: Since the announcement of the establishment of the Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers in October 2007, a total 1,217 interest free loans have been provided. Of this total, 736 people have been able to purchase a home through the Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme (OMSEP) and 481 through the New Supply Shared Equity scheme (NSSE).

  No interest free loans are provided to housing associations. Housing associations receive Housing Association Grant (HAG) to build New Supply Shared Equity properties and the purchasers of these homes receive the interest free loan.

  Since May 2008 we have been able to monitor how many people participating in our shared equity schemes are first-time buyers. 85% of new supply and 94% of open market purchasers fall into this category. As well as first-time buyers the schemes also prioritise people in the Armed Forces or veterans and people living in social housing. The schemes can also help people who are looking for a new home after a significant change in their household circumstances, people who have a disability and own a house which does not suit their needs or owner occupiers who are affected by demolition plans as part of a regeneration scheme.

Housing

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in which local authorities tenants in social rented housing experienced a rent increase of 5% or more in 2008.

Alex Neil: In 2008, average rents for tenants in local authority owned social rented housing increased by 5% or more in the following areas: Clackmannanshire; East Lothian; Highland; Midlothian; North Ayrshire, and West Lothian.

  Statistics on average rent increases implemented by Registered Social Landlords in 2008 will be published by the Scottish Housing Regulator in September 2009.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19797 by Kenny MacAskill on 27 January 2009, what assessment it has made of the success of the knife-crime text hotline run by Crimestoppers UK in England and Wales.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19797 by Kenny MacAskill on 27 January 2009, what assessment it has made of the suitability for Scotland of the knife-crime text hotline run by Crimestoppers UK in England and Wales.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19798 by Kenny MacAskill on 28 January 2009, whether it plans to introduce a knife-crime text hotline in Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to reducing violence and knife crime in our communities and takes an interest in initiatives in other areas which could contribute to our efforts. Crimestoppers are currently evaluating the knife carrier text service and plan to produce an evaluation in June 2009. The Scottish Government will assess the success of the text service and its suitability for Scotland once it has seen the evaluation from Crimestoppers.

Licensing

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many betting shop licences have been issued in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Kenny MacAskill: This is a matter for the Gambling Commission and Licensing Boards. The information requested is not held centrally.

Local Government Finance

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding amounts previously allocated to Dumfries and Galloway Council as Quality of Life funding continued to be allocated following the ending of ring fencing.

John Swinney: I can confirm that the Quality of Life funding, which was previously separately identifiable, but not ring-fenced, continues to be allocated as part of the annual local government finance settlement. It is then for each local authority to allocate the total resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities and outcomes.

Manifesto Commitments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21261 by Bruce Crawford on 9 March 2009, whether it will list the 48 SNP manifesto commitments that have not yet been achieved.

Bruce Crawford: The information requested is given in the document entitled SNP manifesto 2007: It’s time, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 42576).

Ministerial Meetings

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Group since November 2008; who was involved, and what the outcome was in each case.

John Swinney: Lloyds Banking Group:

  Since November 2008, in addition to my attendance at Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) meetings which are also attended by Lloyds Banking Group Executives, I have undertaken the following ministerial engagements:

  Telephone call on 19 December 2008 with Susan Rice Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group regarding her new appointment with Lloyds Banking Group.

  I attended the Lloyds Banking Group annual dinner hosted by Sir Victor Blank on 10 March 2009. This was an informal dinner which provided an opportunity to discuss prospects and challenges for the financial services industry and the wider economy.

  On 25 March 2009 I met with Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group and Susan Rice Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group to discuss access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises.

  Royal Bank of Scotland:

  On 16 March 2009 I had a meeting with Andrew McLaughlin in St Andrew’s House to discuss access to finance and other issues.

  I also spoke with Andrew McLaughlin on 7 April 2009 to talk about the proposed job cuts that RBS were planning to announce that day.

Ministerial Visits

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a report of the recent visit to China by the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Michael Russell: The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning travelled to China this April in order to advance Scotland’s relationship with China as set out in the Scottish Government’s International Framework, and more specifically the refreshed China Plan published on the 7 May 2008. The First Minister’s and Cabinet Secretary’s visit was part of on-going programme of engagement with China and built on previous ministerial visits by this and previous administrations. The preparation for the visit included meetings with Amnesty International and the Scottish Human Rights Commission, as well as Scottish Enterprise and other partners with an interest in China.

  The visit provided the opportunity to promote Scotland as a key economic partner with a world-leading contribution in education and innovation – a nation that is very much open for business. This will support our purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

  The indications are that China will lead the global economy out of recession and expanding trade with such a major market can be an important contributing factor in the Scottish Government’s own Economic Recovery Plan. The visit was a vital part of realising this potential with real benefits for jobs and businesses in Scotland.

  The Cabinet Secretary and First Minster, building on the achievements of Ms Hyslop and Mr Swinney’s visits last year, pursued activity framed around the Scottish Government’s key sectors:

  Energy: The First Minister helped Scotland’s Sgurr Energy officially launch their ground-breaking wind measurement device into the Chinese market. The First Minister also made the keynote address to a major renewable energy conference in Beijing and met Professor Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and one of the eleven Saltire Prize challenge committee members. In Hong Kong, the First Minister met Hong Kong Electric International, who have been invited to explore opportunities for investment in Scotland, in particular using their expertise in subsea transmission systems.

  Creative Industries: The Cabinet Secretary supported the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Abertay Dundee University and Shanghai University following up from last year’s visit and witnessed a further agreement, making Peking University’s School of Software and Microelectronic Engineering an additional International Partner of the UK’s first Centre of Excellence in computer games education, Abertay University.

  Financial and Business Services: The First Minister championed the long-term strengths of the financial services industry in Scotland and promoted new opportunities in growth areas such as asset management in his meetings with the Vice Mayor and the Financial Services Director-General, Dr. Fang Xinghai, and in speaking at the Sino Scottish Asset Management Forum.

  Food and Drink: The First Minister officially launched the "Scotch" element of The WhiskyLIVE Festival which is to run May 8 to 9 in China. In his meeting with the Chinese Minister of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Mr Wang Yong, the First Minister raised the issue of securing Geographical Indication of Origin for whisky along with other areas of trade including seed potato export and co-operation in food safety. As a direct result of this meeting, it is expected that there will be rapid progress towards protecting Scotch Whisky and in developing a food safety partnership between a Scottish company and the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine Sciences.

  Life Sciences: The Cabinet Secretary announced a new modern apprenticeship framework for life sciences in Beijing when she helped to launch the world’s first commercially available multi-articulating bionic hand by Scottish prosthetics company Touch Bionics and its Chinese distributor ENJOYLIFE Prosthetics and Orthotics Company. The First Minister attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine, directed by Sir Ian Wilmut, and China’s National Centre for International Research in Stem Cells based at Peking University.

  The Cabinet Secretary also launched a pioneering new partnership under which Chinese health professionals will learn from Scotland’s leading medical experts. The collaborative training programme between NHS Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, China’s Ministry of Health and China’s Shandong based pharmaceutical giant Asiapharm will further boost educational and commercial ties between our two countries.

  Tourism: In Beijing the First Minister announced details of the "Scottish Prestige Golf Club" which offers China’s 1 million golfers membership to "Scotland - the Home of Golf" as a result of a new scheme encouraging them to visit Scotland and play golf at some of the country’s leading courses. He also promoted the Year of Homecoming throughout his visit, including to the Hong Kong Chambers of Commerce which have a significant Scottish membership.

  Universities: The Cabinet Secretary progressed a number of partnerships between institutions in Scotland and China as previously outlined. A new venture which enables Edinburgh Napier University to provide business expertise to Scottish companies seeking to expand in Hong Kong and China was launched. The Cabinet Secretary was the first representative of an overseas delegation to meet the new Vice Minister at the Ministry for Education, Mr Hao Ping. Formal approval was secured last week for a jointly funded programme of research partnerships. The Cabinet Secretary also launched a new programme of scholarships for Masters scholars from China, jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish universities.

  The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary held a number of high level government meetings. In discussion with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Li Hui, the First Minister commended the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who has said that during his recent visit to the UK he always carried a copy of Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments. The First Minister noted that Adam Smith prized justice as the quality above all others, that justice had the power to transform lives and transform whole nations, and this quality had an important place in China’s on-going reform process which has already seen 600 million people lifted out of poverty. The First Minister also highlighted these issues in his public speaking engagements.

  The meetings with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of AQSIQ, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive and Shanghai’s Vice Mayor were highly productive and agreement was made upon willingness to develop collaboration in trade, investment and education. The First Minister also met President Chen Haosu of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the organisation which facilitated the ministerial visit. Further bilateral cooperation between Scotland and China was agreed at this meeting.

  The outcomes of this visit are far reaching and are part of a sustained and focused programme of engagement with China which will generate, and in some cases is already generating, long-term benefits for Scotland.

Oil Industry

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the oil industry in the north east.

Jim Mather: Scottish Enterprise, through its energy team, and Scottish Development International provide specific business support and development activity and work in partnership with others including local authorities and the Scottish Government. They offer support in a number of different ways including supply chain development and trade missions.

  Through a number of overseas visits, including my visits to Canada, the United States, Norway, Russia and Brussels, we have promoted the skills, knowledge and experience of the Scottish oil and gas industry to current and potential investors and also supported visits to Aberdeen such as that of President Calderon of Mexico.

  Scottish Enterprise also keeps in close contact with the industry to assess current conditions and to offer additional help where possible. They are currently developing a number of initiatives to try and help counter the downturn. These include an advanced initiative for the development of an offshore decommissioning supply chain and increased access to specialist support.

  We continue to support the work of the Oil and Gas Academy in Aberdeen and are committed to working with them and Cogent to ensure that we have a skills and qualifications system which is responsive to the needs of their employers.

  Despite current difficulties, we are confident in the long-term future of the industry.

Older People

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 34 care homes for older people where all services were graded as either unsatisfactory or weak in the Care Commission report, Gradings So Far, continue to operate.

Shona Robison: This information is not held by the Scottish Government.

  The Care Commission was set up to regulate for improvement in the quality of care. It does not close care services immediately as a result of a failure to achieve acceptable grades in one or more quality themes.

  Where care services fail to achieve an acceptable standard of care, the Care Commission works with the provider to ensure that the quality improves. This may be partly through the use of formal enforcement action and through increased inspection and supervision.

  Ultimately, the commission can propose to cancel the registration of a service if it does not meet the improvement notice. This means that the care service would no longer be able to operate. The Care Commission sees closure of a care service as a last resort. Where a provider is failing to supply an adequate standard of care, additional support will be offered.

Planning

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, for what reason the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism attended a meeting with Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 to get an update on a live planning application.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, what benefit the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism saw in attending a meeting with Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 to get an update on a live planning application.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9043 by Michael Russell on 25 February 2008, what the outcome was of the meeting between the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007.

Roseanna Cunningham: The meeting held between the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism and Mr Macdonald at the SNP conference on 26 October 2007 was an informal, non-ministerial conversation. The Scottish Government does not hold any information on such meetings.

Planning

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether allegations of unreasonable delay, incompetence or unfairness of any kind by the Highland Council in the handling of applications from Aviemore resort hotels were made to ministers or civil servants and, if so, who made the allegations and on what dates, whether any evidence supported the allegations and what steps were taken to ensure that incorrect allegations were refuted.

Stewart Stevenson: Mary Scanlon MSP wrote to Scottish ministers on 7 December 2007 expressing concern that the planning application by Aviemore Highland Resort was being delayed by Highland Council, Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Transport Scotland. Officials sought information from the CNPA about the timetable for the handling of the planning application. The First Minister subsequently wrote to Ms Scanlon to reassure her that the CNPA, as planning authority, was handling the application as promptly as possible.

Renewable Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20740 by Stewart Stevenson on 2 March 2009 and given the imminent cessation of the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative programme, how it will monitor demand for the scheme in light of the proposed changes to permitted development rights for domestic microgeneration equipment.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22259 on 9 April 2009. Support offered through the Scottish Community and Householder Renewable Initiative (SCHRI) will not cease, but will run under two distinct programmes from April 2009.

  The householder stream will continue to operate as it does at the moment but under the new banner of Energy Saving Scotland – home renewables, while the community stream will operate under the new name of the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). The decision to separate support through SCHRI reflects the distinct needs of the different customer groups, and allows the individual delivery bodies to focus on the areas where they have the greatest expertise.

  Household grant support through the Energy Saving Scotland – home renewables will continue to be managed on our behalf by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) in Scotland. EST already report to my officials quarterly on the performance of the household grant scheme and this will not change as a result of the re-branding. These reports will be reviewed quarterly against current demand for the scheme, and against the formal annual evaluation of the EST programmes, to see if there has been an impact as a result of the changes to permitted development rights. Should significant changes in demand be experienced, further evaluation would be carried out to ascertain the cause.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Residential Care

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding for care home fees will be ring-fenced for the next three years.

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what increase in funding will be available for care home fees in each of the next three years and what the percentage increase will be in Fife.

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding local authorities will receive in care home fee settlements in each of the next three years and what percentage will be available for Fife.

Shona Robison: There are no plans to ring-fence funding for care home fees for the next three years. The Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period 2008-10. The total package of funding over the two year period will see an investment of £23 billion. The vast majority of the funding, including funding for care home fees, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities, taking account of its statutory obligations and commitment to deliver the outcomes agreed jointly with the Scottish Government.

  In relation to care home fees for publicly funded clients, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities negotiates with representatives of the independent care home sector annually to set appropriate and consistent fee levels across Scotland as part of the National Care Home Contract. They have just agreed a settlement for the next two years which will mean that the fee base rate will be increased by 2.8% for 2009-10 and by 2.7% in 2010-11.

Roads

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reconsider its plans to build an overtaking lane rather than a dual carriageway on the A9 at Carrbridge and at Moy.

Stewart Stevenson: No; this section of the A9 is in urgent need of major maintenance investment and we are taking the opportunity to provide an enhanced standard. The Strategic Transport Projects Review has identified dualling of the A9 as a strategic transport priority for Scotland. Our investment hierarchy is to maintain and safely operate our existing networks, make best use of these networks and finally, invest in targeted infrastructure improvements.

Roads

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to the A77 Safety Group.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland provides administrative support for the group as well as funding for specific campaign initiatives.

Roads

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the safety partnerships similar to the A77 Safety Group, broken down by local authority.

Stewart Stevenson: The list of safety partnerships in Scotland, broken down by local authority are shown in the following tables. These are further broken down by operating company area.

  South West Unit:

  Trunk Road Operating Company: Amey Infrastructure Services

  

 M73 Motorway 
 Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire Council


 M74 Motorway 
 South Lanarkshire Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council


 A725 Trunk Road 
 South Lanarkshire Council 


 A726 Trunk Road 
 South Lanarkshire Council


 M80 Motorway 
 Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire Council


 M77 Motorway 
 Glasgow City Council and East Renfrewshire Council


 A75 Trunk Road 
 Dumfries and Galloway Council


 A751 Trunk Road 
 Dumfries and Galloway Council


 A76 Trunk Road 
 Dumfries and Galloway Council, East Ayrshire


 A701 Trunk Road 
 Dumfries and Galloway Council


 A78 Trunk Road 
 Inverclyde Council, North Ayrshire Council


 A737 Trunk Road 
 North Ayrshire Council and Renfrewshire Council


 A738 Trunk Road 
 North Ayrshire Council


 A8/M8 Trunk Road/Motorway 
 Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council, Inverclyde Council and North Lanarkshire Council


 M898/A898 Motorway/Trunk Road 
 West Dunbartonshire Council, Renfrewshire Council


 A82 Trunk Road 
 West Dunbartonshire Council



  North West Unit:

  Trunk Road Operating Company: Scotland Transerve

  

 A9 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council, Perth and Kinross Council


 A82 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council and Stirling Council


 A83 Trunk Road 
 Argyll and Bute Council


 A84 Trunk Road 
 Stirling Council


 A85 Trunk Road 
 Argyll and Bute Council, Stirling Council and Perth and Kinross Council


 A86 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A87 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A99 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A828 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council and Argyll and Bute Council


 A830 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A835 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A887 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council


 A889 Trunk Road 
 Highland Council



  North East Unit:

  Trunk Road Operating Company: Bear Scotland

  

 A96 Trunk Road 
 Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council and Highland Council


 A95 Trunk Road 
 Moray Council and Highland Council


 A90 Trunk Road 
 Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council and Perth and Kinross Council


 M90 Motorway 
 Perth and Kinross Council and Fife Council


 A92 Trunk Road 
 Fife Council


 A9 Trunk Road 
 Stirling Council and Perth and Kinross Council


 A823 Trunk Road 
 Clackmannanshire Council


 A977 Trunk Road 
 Fife Council


 A985 Trunk Road 
 Fife Council



  South East Unit:

  Trunk Road Operating Company: Bear Scotland

  

 A1 Trunk Road 
 East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council


 A720 Trunk Road 
 City of Edinburgh Council and Midlothian Council


 A702 Trunk Road 
 Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders Council and South Lanarkshire Council


 A68 Trunk Road 
 East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council


 A6091 Trunk Road 
 Scottish Borders Council


 A7 Trunk Road 
 Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council


 M8 Motorway 
 West Lothian Council, City of Edinburgh Council and North Lanarkshire Council


 M876 Motorway 
 Falkirk Council


 A80/M80 Trunk Road/ Motorway
 Stirling Council and North Lanarkshire Council


 M9 Motorway
 West Lothian Council, City of Edinburgh Council and Falkirk Council

Roads

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with East Ayrshire Council regarding the state of local roads.

Stewart Stevenson: I have not received a request from East Ayrshire Council to discuss the state of local roads in their area.

  The Scottish Government provides local authorities with funding for local roads through the core local government finance settlement and each council is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of local roads in its area. It is entirely a matter for councils to decide what priority is given to local roads and to allocate resources accordingly.

Scottish Futures Trust

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the Infrastructure Investment Unit and the Scottish Futures Trust offer better value for public money than the disbanded Financial Partnerships Unit.

John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust is an arms length company which will bring to bear wider expertise than we have had in the past on public sector infrastructure investment. In addition, it will have the expertise and capacity to deliver better value for Scottish taxpayers.

Scottish Government Expenditure

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the redesign and rebranding of its intranet from Inexec to Saltire.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government staff intranet was redesigned and re-launched as Saltire in January 2008. The total cost was £2,643.75 including VAT.

  Saltire is available to around 7,500 staff in the Scottish Government and its agencies.

Visual Arts

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for the visual arts in Fife.

Michael Russell: Fife has a thriving arts scene which is supported in a number of ways. The Scottish Government pursues its aims for the visual arts through working with our partners in the Scottish Arts Council and Museums Galleries Scotland, and through supporting the work of higher and further education institutions. In addition the Scottish Government provides funding for local cultural services through the Local Government Finance Settlement.

Voluntary Sector

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with representatives of Community Service Volunteers to make them aware of the changes to funding for the voluntary sector.

Jim Mather: A three year grant to Community Service Volunteers for its Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme came to its planned and expected conclusion at the end of March. Various discussions have taken place over the last nine months or so at official and ministerial level about the possibility of a further grant, which is not possible under the new arrangements for funding local projects by local authorities.

Voluntary Sector

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it wrote to representatives of Community Service Volunteers to make them aware of the changes to funding for the voluntary sector and, if so, when.

Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17400 on 11 November 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Voluntary Sector

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether representatives of Community Service Volunteers agreed to changes to funding for the voluntary sector.

Jim Mather: The concordat with local authorities reinforces the principle that local delivery decisions should be made locally to ensure the delivery of local outcome agreement. Third sector organisations such as Community Service Volunteers can make a contribution to delivering single outcome agreements by engaging with community planning partnerships and local authorities.

Voluntary Sector

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the (a) dates and (b) minutes of the meetings it had with representatives of Community Service Volunteers regarding changes to funding for the voluntary sector.

Jim Mather: A three year grant to Community Service Volunteers for its Retired and Senior Volunteers Programme came to its planned and expected conclusion at the end of March.

  On 5 February 2009, I met the Director Scotland and a board member of CSV to discuss the contribution it could make to advancing volunteering. Officials from the Third Sector Division met representatives of CSV on 24 November 2008 and 2 February 2009 to discuss their request for a further grant for its Retired and Senior Volunteers programme, which matches volunteers to local projects. No minutes were taken of these meetings.

Voluntary Sector

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to create the right to request to allow NHS staff to establish a social enterprise to deliver primary and community care.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had discussions with the UK Department of Health about the right to request.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it uses to assess the public health benefits of social enterprises and how it intends to support and progress the role of social enterprises in the delivery of health care.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is currently conducting research into how the third sector contributes to its strategic objectives. The final report is expected at the end of April 2009. We recognise the potential for social enterprises to deliver health benefits and the work on health-related objectives will inform future research that will be carried out to help identify any opportunities for social enterprises in relation to health.

Water Safety

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths by drowning there have been in the area of Loch Awe (a) north of Portsonachan and (b) between Portsonachan and Ford in the last 30 years.

Kenny MacAskill: It is not possible to produce figures which cover the last 30 years as this information is not held centrally. The statistical database of the General Register Office for Scotland holds details of the place of death only in respect of those deaths which were registered with effect from 1 January 1996. Prior to the recent incident which resulted in four deaths, there were eight recorded deaths by drowning since January 1996 for which "Loch Awe" was mentioned in the "place of death" part of the death certificate.